Inside George Clooney movie Jay Kelly as fans ask if it’s a true story
Netflix’s Jay Kelly starring George Clooney has viewers wondering if the film is based on real events
Clooney: I have not had to look back at my life with great regret
After its cinema release earlier this year, Jay Kelly has made its global debut on Netflix today (December 5). The film boasts a star-studded cast led by acting titan and director George Clooney, alongside Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Grace Edwards, Stacy Keach, Jim Broadbent, Patrick Wilson, Eve Hewson, and more, reports the Express.
The ensemble also includes Greta Gerwig, Alba Rohrwacher, Josh Hamilton, Lenny Henry, Emily Mortimer, Nicôle Lecky, Thaddea Graham, Isla Fisher, Louis Partridge, Charlie Rowe. Penned by Noah Baumbach and Emily Mortimer, the film was directed by Oscar nominee Baumbach and is already being touted as a potential Oscar contender.
Jay Kelly centres around the eponymous character (portrayed by Clooney) who embarks on a journey of self-discovery, reflecting on his life and confronting his past and present. He is joined on this journey by his faithful manager Ron (Adam Sandler). The film explores the crossroads of life’s regrets and significant triumphs and our various identities, leaving audiences in tears.
Is Jay Kelly based on a true story?
No, Jay Kelly is a fictional, iconic film star in the twilight years of his career. While he may not be a real person, Jay Kelly conjures images of legendary actors such as Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, and Robert De Niro, all of whom have had extensive and remarkable careers that have cemented their status and demonstrated their versatility in the craft.
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The film opens with Jay losing his mentor Peter (Broadbent), alongside a troubling encounter with his friend (Crudup). These two events cause Jay to sense a growing divide between his authentic self and the film star image that others perceive.
Jay and Ron journey through Europe as the actor examines his dual identities, whilst reflecting on his previous film work.
Director Baumbach explained the origins of Jay Kelly’s character, stating: “It was a compelling character and idea for me, but I couldn’t have really told you why then. I can say this now with hindsight; if you make a movie about an actor, you’re inherently making a movie about identity and performance. We come to points in our lives where we’ve settled on an idea of ourselves.”
Baumbach and Mortimer crafted Jay Kelly’s role specifically for Good Night, and Good Luck star Clooney. After receiving the script, they heard back within 24 hours with his confirmation to join the project, as the actor simply responded “I’m in”.
Speaking about why Clooney was the perfect choice for Jay Kelly, Baumbach explained: “We all have a relationship with George Clooney as an actor and movie star from over the years. That’s what movie stars can do for us. They’re our avatars. We identify with them, but also there’s a certain kind of wish-fulfilment.”
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He further elaborated on the character, stating: “It’s a fantasy, but they give us a point of entry into the fantasy. You love watching them. And so in this case, it’s a movie about a movie star who is playing our human- ness and our vulnerabilities and our failings.”
Clooney also shared insights about his role as Jay Kelly, expressing that he knew “how to play this part” and was intrigued due to Baumbach’s previous work. He highlighted how Jay Kelly differed from him: “This character has a lot more regrets than I would have, because, luckily for me, fame came much later in my life. I got to figure out how to live life before I figured out how to be famous, and I don’t think this character did.”
He continued by sharing his observations of people, including his aunt, who experienced fame at a young age and struggled with its challenges, especially when it began to fade. Clooney remarked: “I’ve always felt, again, very lucky that it took such a long time for me, but also it gave me a chance to learn how not to be Jay Kelly in real life.”
Jay Kelly is currently available for streaming on Netflix
